EASINGWOLD continue to lead the way in the Pilmoor Evening Cricket League after another fine evening when all five matches were completed.

The season is now approaching the play-off stages, which will take place when all sides have played 10 fixtures.

Easingwold had a complete five-point win at Raskelf, and there were also wins for Helperby, Clifton Alliance, Dringhouses and Newburgh, although all those sides lost in the super over.

Newburgh continued their high-scoring ways when they amassed 181-4 at Crayke. Tommy Banks (50), James Banks (45), Ferdinand Rex (28) and Charles Ramsay (25) all contributed, but Crayke enjoyed a better time in the super over overhauling Newburgh’s 10-1.

This was the end of their success as they found Newburgh’s total well out of reach, Tom Boyle making 39 as they closed on 114-5.

Two high-flyers met at Helperby where Alne were the visitors. Helperby posted 167-3 with Oli Saxby making 78 and Dan Spink 45, which proved too much for Alne, who closed on 126-8.

Paul Hutchinson made 36 and T Fairburn 35, but Jonty Moorhouse (3-36) and Luis Rees-Hughes (2-30) made sure Helperby had the upper hand. Alne did have the consolation of winning the mid-game super over.

Bottom entertained top at Raskelf and the game went according to form. Toby Baker made 31, but Raskelf mainly struggled and they closed on 72-6 with Sean Dixon taking 3-9 for Easingwold.

After winning the super over, Easingwold took full points as they reached an untroubled 73 without loss, Max Cosgrove making 31 not out and Andrew Metcalfe 29.

There was a well contested game at Sessay where Clifton Alliance were the visitors. Scott Hopkinson batted through the Alliance innings to make 59 not out, and had support from Andrew Whaitts with 30 not out as Alliance closed on 114-3.

Sessay won the super over but started their main reply poorly, Annie Brown taking 3-16 from four overs.

Paul Flintoff held firm and his seventh-wicket partnership with Lee Margerison took Sessay to a promising position, needing only 12 from the last two overs.

Both fell to Jack Heartshorne in the 17th over, Flintoff for 40 and Margerison for 31, and Sessay quickly lost their last two wickets to be all out for 108. Sam Grant held four catches for the winners.

Dringhouses were restricted to 81-9 at Sheriff Hutton Bridge, the bulk of the runs coming from Tom Owen (29) and Paul Milner (21), while Rob Stevens and Danny Cass each took three wickets for Bridge.

Bridge won the super over, but their joy ended there as they were bowled out for 72, Harry Watkinson taking 3-15 before Tom Owen closed out the game with 2-6 in the final over.